Joshua Sortino, Unsplash License, Source

San Francisco

Iconic bridges, rolling hills and vibrant culture

San Francisco stands out as a city shaped by its hills, waterfront and diverse neighborhoods. The Golden Gate Bridge connects the urban core to Marin County, while Alcatraz Island provides a glimpse into America’s past. Public transit includes buses and light rail that serve steep streets efficiently. Fisherman’s Wharf offers seafood stalls alongside views of the Bay. Cable cars remain a practical way to move between areas with challenging terrain. The city balances historic sites with modern tech influence, creating distinct local culture and varied architecture across districts.

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City in United States

$$$+

$	Cheap
$$	Medium
$$$	Expensive, upscale
$$$+	Very expensive, luxury

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Safety: 6.8

General Safety:	6
Health & medical:	8
Accessibility:	7
Tap water:	9

Read details

5/5

English is the main language, and almost everyone speaks it fluently. You’ll also hear a lot of Spanish and Chinese, especially in certain neighborhoods.

Highlights Attractions Getting there Hotels Tips Travel costs Safety Articles

Last update: 12 Oct 2026

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San Francisco Summary

These place ratings give you a quick overview of how well a destination matches different types of trips.

‘Best for’ scores:
The specific interest scores show where this place really shines – whether it's ideal for hiking, food & drink experiences, museums or other activities. These highlights help you understand what makes the destination special at a glance.

‘Your personal’ scores:
This reflects how well a place matches your personal preferences. You can adjust the importances of travel topics or other personal requirements categories in your account settings.

‘Suited for’ badges:
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Read how our scores work

Excellent for iconic sights and coastal city life. Walk across the Golden Gate Bridge, ride historic cable cars, explore diverse neighborhoods and enjoy bay views.

Place score

8.5

Best at:

Fine dining

Guided tours

Local cuisine

Street food

Luxury shopping

Personal score

Suited for

👶 7

Families

🧓 6

Seniors

🌈 10

LGBTQ+

❤️ 9

Couples

United States – Quick facts

Guide Etiquette Holidays Other

Power Grid:	120 V, 60 Hz Plug: Type A , Type B Type A: Type B: Read about power adapters
Currency:	US Dollar (USD) £1 ≈ US$1.33
Cashless info:	Rating 5/5 The U.S. is highly cashless, with credit and debit cards accepted almost everywhere. Mobile payment options like Apple Pay and Google Pay are widely used. Save with a travel credit card
eSIM providers:	Best value: Saily Flexibility: Airalo Read our in-depth comparison

Tipping:	Tipping is customary and expected in the U.S. In restaurants, 15-20% is standard. Taxi drivers, hotel staff, and tour guides also expect tips, usually around 10-20% depending on the service.
Public drinking:	Public drinking laws vary by state, but it is generally prohibited in public spaces without a permit.
Public smoking:	Smoking is restricted in most indoor public spaces and some outdoor areas. Local laws vary.
Etiquette:	Greet with a firm handshake, maintain eye contact, respect personal space, and avoid discussing politics or income unless invited to share opinions. Politeness and friendliness are appreciated.

Thanksgiving (November)	A major holiday with closures and domestic travel surges.
Independence Day (July)	Expect parades, fireworks, and celebrations nationwide.
Christmas (December)	Markets, festive events, and crowded tourist spots.

Emergency contact:	Emergency Number: 911 (Police, Fire, Ambulance)
Taxi apps:	Uber, Lyft, Bolt
Helpful links:	Wikipedia Visa regulations Customs & border control Travel with medicine
Other:	The U.S. is known for its diverse landscapes, cultural experiences, and regional cuisines. Public transport is efficient in cities but less so in rural areas. Renting a car is recommended for exploring national parks.

Best times to travel

The best times to travel section shows how the months compare for a visit, so you can find the time of year that fits what you want to do.

Background colours of the months:
The colour shows the typical temperature: yellow (hot), green (mild) and blue (cold). How strong the colour is shows the travel season: full colour means high season, soft colour means shoulder season and soft-striped means off season.

Weather symbols:
Each month has one symbol showing what the weather is typically like, such as hot and sunny, freezing or a rainy or snowy season. Use them to quickly spot months that match the weather you want, or to avoid the ones that don't.

Crowdedness:
The people icon shows how busy the place usually is. The more people, the more crowded it gets.

Additional notes:
The grey info boxes point out special things worth knowing, like recurring weather issues or seasonal events.

for San Francisco, United States

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Feb

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Mar

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Apr

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May

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Jun

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Jul

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Aug

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Sep

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Oct

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Nov

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Dec

High season:	May - Oct.
Shoulder season:	March - April, Nov. - Dec.
Crowdedness:	10 (Very crowded)

Tap on a month for more info Hover over a month for more info

Climate details

Fog is densest June to August, especially at the Golden Gate Bridge and on the western side; the east side is sunnier and warmer

Fleet Week, early October: Blue Angels air show over the bay, hotels busy and pricier

Alcatraz tickets often sell out weeks ahead, especially May to September

Don't miss

🌉 Walk across the Golden Gate Bridge
🚋 Ride a classic cable car through steep hills
🏝️ Explore Alcatraz Island and tour the former prison
🦭 Watch sea lions bask at Pier 39
🚗 Drive the iconic Lombard Street with its sharp turns
🏠 Admire the Painted Ladies from Alamo Square

You've been here?

Why travel to San Francisco?

Whether you want to walk the streets of a vibrant and historic Chinatown, experience the counterculture energy of Haight-Ashbury or cycle along the waterfront to Golden Gate Park, San Francisco has something for everyone. The food scene is world-class, from dim sum in Chinatown to fresh seafood at Fisherman’s Wharf. The downside? It’s not cheap and the weather can be unpredictable – bring layers!

🏯Places worth seeing

1 San Francisco Museum of Modern Art
The San Francisco Museum of Modern Art showcases contemporary art in a historic building. Its collection features paintings, sculptures and installations that challenge viewers. The museum offers guided tours and educational programs for all ages.
2 Fisherman's Wharf
This bustling waterfront district in San Francisco features historic Victorian architecture, lively street performers and iconic views of the bay. It's a vibrant hub for tourists and locals alike, offering shops, restaurants and attractions that capture the city's unique charm.
3 Lombard Street
This iconic winding road offers breathtaking views of the Golden Gate Bridge and San Francisco Bay. Its steep curves and colorful houses make it a famous tourist attraction, often featured in movies and TV shows worldwide.
4 Alcatraz Island
This former prison island sits in San Francisco Bay, accessible by ferry from Alcatraz Landing. The site features historic cell blocks, a museum and offers panoramic views of the city skyline from its rocky shores.
5 Golden Gate Bridge
Iconic suspension bridge spanning the San Francisco Bay, its towering towers and sweeping cables define the city’s skyline. Opened in 1937, it remains a symbol of engineering prowess and scenic beauty.
6 Chinatown
7 Coit Tower
8 Palace of Fine Arts
9 Twin Peaks
10 Alcatraz Island
11 Mission pool Murals

🎡Places for activities

1 California Academy of Sciences
A massive, glass-domed complex in San Francisco's Marina District houses interactive science exhibits and a planetarium. The site features a stunning aquarium and offers educational programs for visitors of all ages.
2 Exploratorium
3 Oracle Park
4 Castro District
5 Cable Cars
6 Yerba Buena Gardens
7 Fort Point
8 Louise M. Davies Symphony Hall

🏞️Natural landmarks

1 Golden Gate Park
This expansive urban green space features a stunning bridge, diverse gardens and cultural landmarks. It offers miles of walking paths, historic de Young Museum and breathtaking views of the bay and city skyline.
2 Angel Island
3 Baker Beach
4 Mission Dolores Park
5 Glen Canyon Park
6 Muir Woods National Monument
7 Mount Tamalpais State Park
8 Crissy Field
9 Ocean Beach

🛍️Shopping

1 Union Square
2 San Francisco Centre
3 Japantown
4 Ghirardelli Square
5 Embarcadero Center 4
6 Fillmore Street
7 Stonestown Galleria Mall

🎈Events

San Francisco Pride
Fleet Week
Outside Lands Music Festival
Hardly Strictly Bluegrass
Chinese New Year Parade
Bay to Breakers
Folsom Street Fair
Cherry Blossom Festival
Stern Grove Festival
San Francisco International Film Festival

Explore on map

Open map view

Knowledge before you go

Pack layers; the city is windy, foggy and rarely truly hot.
Use public transit, cable cars and rideshares; parking is expensive, limited and street-cleaning rules are strictly enforced.
Expect microclimates between neighborhoods; bring a light jacket even in summer, especially for waterfront or evening activities.
Walk or bike the Golden Gate Bridge from the San Francisco side for iconic skyline views, fewer crowds early mornings or weekdays.

How to travel to San Francisco

San Francisco International Airport (SFO) is the main airport, with BART trains providing easy access to downtown. Oakland International Airport (OAK) is another option and long-distance Amtrak trains stop nearby in Emeryville, with shuttle connections into the city.

Access summary

From SFO airport: BART or rideshare to downtown, around 25–35 minutes.
From Los Angeles: Frequent direct flights to SFO, about 1.5 hours.
From Oakland: BART or car across Bay Bridge, usually 30–50 minutes.

Check your route from anywhere

Where to stay in San Francisco

San Francisco has a mix of luxury hotels, boutique stays and budget-friendly hostels. The downtown and Union Square areas are central, while Fisherman’s Wharf offers a more touristy vibe. The Mission and Haight-Ashbury have a trendier, more local feel.

Hotel recommendations

*by rating and popularity. Commissions have no influence on the rankings.

Hotel Nikko San Francisco

Hilton San Francisco Union Square

8.0

Hotel Fusion

8.4

Hotel Zephyr San Francisco

8.6

Hotel Zoe Fisherman's Wharf

8.7

Club Donatello

9.1

Holiday Inn San Francisco - Golden Gateway By IHG

8.4

Explore more accommodations

How to get around San Francisco

San Francisco has good public transit, including Muni buses, streetcars and the famous cable cars. BART connects the city with the Bay Area. Walking is great, but the hills can be tough. Rideshares and bike rentals are popular and ferries offer scenic routes across the bay.

Budget snapshot

Costs compared to home

We calculate the average costs when travelling to destinations and compare those with the living costs at your home. With this you can get an estimate of how expensive or cheap the destination is for you.

To customise this, you can set up which location and price level are used for the calculations in your account settings.

+23 %

Daily expenses in San Francisco are around 23% higher than the average across United States. That means you'll spend considerably more on meals and getting around.

Exchange rate trend

The exchange rate price factor shows how expensive or cheap a currency currently is compared to its historical average. It's a quick way to see if a country is currently more or less affordable due to exchange rate changes.

-4 %

Your exchange rate (GBP to USD) is 4% better than in recent years. That means travelling now costs around the same compared to the past.

Travel costs

To help you plan your trip, we provide estimated daily costs per person (when travelling as a pair) for different travel styles. These numbers give you an idea of what you might spend each day at this destination, including accommodation, food, transport and activities.

Additionally, we also provide average hotel costs for different travel styles to give you an estimate for the accommodation only.

Please note that these are only estimates. The real costs depend on booking times, season and other factors.

Daily cost summary

Travel style categories explained:

Backpacker:
Staying in hostels or budget hotels, cooking your own meals or eating cheap and choosing low-cost activities.

Mid-range:
Staying in mid-range hotels, eating at a mix of restaurants and casual spots and enjoying a variety of activities.

Luxury:
Staying in luxury hotels, dining out at high-end restaurants and enjoying premium experiences without worrying about the price.

	Backpacker	Mid-range	Luxury
💵 Total costs per day, including accommodation	£109	£219	£532
🏨 Accommodation per night, per person	£60	£120	£240
🍝 Food per day	£40	£90	£261
🚕 Transportation per day	£9	£9	£31

Food & Drink

🍽️ Restaurant Dinner, per person	£37
🍛 Lunch Set, per person	£17
🍟 Fast food combo	£10.50
🍝 Preparing your own food, per day	£15
☕ Cappuccino	£4.60
🍺 Beer in a restaurant, 0.5 l	£6

Transportation

🚌 Public transport ticket	£2.30
🚕 Taxi Ride, 10 km / 6 mi	£18
⛽ Petrol, 1 l	£0.95

Other

🎞️ Cinema ticket	£14
👩‍⚕️ Doctor's consult	£110
🤧 Cold medication	£10
💇 Basic haircut	£25

Safety information overview

General safety

San Francisco is generally safe, but homelessness and petty crime can be an issue in some areas. Avoid leaving valuables in cars and be mindful of surroundings in neighborhoods like the Tenderloin.

Health & Medical

Excellent healthcare facilities, but medical costs are high. Travel insurance is recommended. No special vaccinations are needed.

Accessibility

Public transport is wheelchair accessible, but the city's hills can be challenging. Many older buildings may lack full accessibility.

Tap water

Tap water is safe and high quality. Public fountains are available in parks and major attractions.